Despite the recent hope-filled event of Chris Bosh being allowed to join the Miami Heat‘s training camp, that hope can be put to rest as the team announced he has failed his physical and won't be allowed to participate in camp.
The team released this statement on their website:
“The Miami Heat and Chris Bosh, in consultation with team doctors and other physicians, have been working together for many months with the mutual goal of having Chris return to the court as soon as possible. Chris has now taken his pre-season physical. The Miami Heat regret that it remains unable to clear Chris to return to basketball activities.”
The Heat declined to provide an explanation of why Bosh had failed the physical and cited a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that bans the team from releasing certain medical information. Meaning, it still isn't clear if this is a new issue or the same that caused the doctors to inform Bosh his career was likely over six months ago.
This is a huge step back for Bosh, as all the factors were pointing to his imminent return. The 6-foot-11 forward is dealing with two separate incidents of blood clots in his leg, which has made the team severely apprehensive from allowing him to participate in basketball activities.
Bosh recently released a multi-part documentary/a>, tracking his journey through this severe ailment.
Former teammate Dwyane Wade talked to the Associated Press on Friday, saying he supports Bosh, but has his reservations about his health condition:
“I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't express to him my concerns,” said Wade. “To me, the biggest thing is Chris has five kids and a wife and a family that depends on him being there. To me, that's always most important. I told him, ‘Make sure you focus on that first.'”
The 13-year pro still has three years left on his contract, worth $75 million guaranteed. If he is declared disabled by an independent doctor, the team will be able to remove his salary from their books, starting with 2017-18.
The Heat would still have to pay him, though a portion would be covered by insurance. If Miami were to release Bosh, they would be unable to get full cap relief for his contract.
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